Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA). This historic legislation provides a clear
and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination
against individuals with disabilities. The ADA reflects our Nation's faith
in the promise of all individuals and helps to ensure that our Nation's
opportunities are more accessible to all.

The ADA has been a great success in expanding opportunity for disabled
Americans. By reducing barriers and changing perceptions, the ADA has
increased participation in community life and given greater hope to
millions of Americans.

Because of the ADA, individuals with disabilities are better able to
develop skills for school, work, and independent living. Our Nation has
more to do to further the goals of the ADA. Through the New Freedom
Initiative, my Administration is building on the progress of the ADA to
increase the use of technology and expand educational and employment
opportunities. We are promoting the development and dissemination of
assistive and universally designed technology. We have launched
DisabilityInfo.gov, an online resource of programs and technology relevant
to the daily lives of people with disabilities and their families,
employers, service providers, and other community members. We also require
electronic and information technologies used by the Federal Government to
be accessible to people with disabilities. To ensure that no child with a
disability is left behind, I have requested $11.1 billion for the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in my FY 2006 budget-- $4.7
billion above the FY 2001 level. The Department of Education is seeking
new and effective ways for students with
disabilities to learn. My Administration is also working to educate
employers on ADA requirements and further assisting persons with
disabilities by implementing the "Ticket to Work" program and strengthening
training and employment services at One-Stop Career Centers. Through all
of these efforts, we are helping individuals with disabilities have the
opportunity to live and work with greater freedom.

On the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we
celebrate the progress that has been made and reaffirm our commitment to
fulfilling the ADA's mission of bringing greater hope and opportunity to
our Nation's disabled Americans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2005, as a day in
celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
I call on all Americans to celebrate the many contributions individuals
with disabilities have made to our country, and I urge our citizens to
fulfill the promise of the ADA to give all people the opportunity to live
with dignity, work productively, and achieve their dreams.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirtieth.